Tuesday, May 3, 2011

DOMA Repeal Has Enough Votes to Pass Senate Committee

Justifiable Anger reports that a bill repealing the Defense of Marriage Act has enough votes to pass the Senate Judicial Committee and very probably will make it to the Senate floor.

"Act on Principles' public whip count - which is good for feeling out support for a bill but doesn't do a great job of giving exact numbers - shows 20 cosponsors for the 'Respect for Marriage Act,' and 35 senators 'leaning yes.' (I suppose that should now read 22 and 33.) That means that we may have as many as 55 votes for DOMA Repeal in the Senate, putting us just 5 votes shy of a filibuster-proof majority.

"According to the Blade, we need 7 Republicans to support DOMA Repeal in order to pass the legislation; this doesn't fit with Act on Principles' numbers, but the fact remains that we need Republican support for this bill. Moderate Republicans like Snowe, Collins, Murkowski, and Kirk - all of whom voted to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" last year - are possibilities."

Of course, DOMA repeal has dismal chances in the Republican-controlled House even should it pass the Senate, but it's a great start.